Saturday, June 21. Huntington, Indiana. Parade Day/Rest Day.
Checked out of the local motel after having spent a night in a room with DNA samples on the wall. Now I am no germaphobe, but that was a bit much even for a road-doggie of my considerable experience in unusual overnightings.
Met the Amity Masons at the High School's parade staging area, spot #63 at around 9:00am. As 'Pigbike' wouldn't fit anywhere on the float, it was agreed that I would ride along side. I met Brother Bob Crispin and his lovely wife as we were preparing to begin the parade. When I told him my motel story, he graciously offered me the opportunity to spend Saturday night in his 'shed'. (More about that later...) Over 120 units were part of Huntington's Heritage Days Parade. It is my guess that well over 20,000 spectators lined the parade route. Here's something very cool that happened. The pick-up towing the Lodge float carried Masonic banners as well as a large American flag. Along the mile long parade route, as our float approached, men would stand, remove their caps and small children would rise from their blankets, stand and put their hands over their hearts. I have a wonderful picture of two small boys saluting the flag as we passed. The moment was SO All-American MAGIC that tears welled behind my Ray-Bans. I snapped a moving photograph of those boys. (Note: I have given up on trying to send photos from the road. We'll work out the bugs for the next ride. When I get home, I will turn the blog and the photos into a powerpoint and make the CD available by request.) Having ridden the parade route in Huntington, my belief in the fact that Americans love America has been revived. Therein lies our Nation's strength. I wish I saw more of that at home in Cleveland. Take a look around Progressive Field during the playing of the National Anthem. Many in attendance leave their backward caps on, and a whole bunch don't even bother to stand in respect. Sure, it's a free Country, I just wish there was a law against ignorant disrespect for our flag and all she represents. We could all learn a great deal from those two little boys in Huntington. And as for promoting the Special Olympics, thousands of people saw and read my t-shirt billboard as I rolled through the streets. I hope the impact of my uniquely presented marketing message will help to open people's eyes and wallets on behalf of our very Special Olympians.
Following the parade I was invited back to the Lodge for a tour from Past W.M. Roger Dimond. Their Lodge is incredible and it is easy to see that they have spent countless hours on this labor of love. Roger invited me and Lakeshore 307 to return to Huntington in October to be part of their next One Day Class. Sounds like a great reason to road-trip...though next time I think I'll burn fossil fuel to make the voyage. Left the Lodge around 2:00pm and headed for cover as a nasty thunderstorm was rapdily blowing in. Found a dry spot under the overhang at the local supermarket, Marsh's. Had the classic bicycle tourist's lunch of a couple sandwiches, yogurt, a banana and some Cheesy Poofs. As I was waiting out the rain, a white car pulled up and a man jumped out and ran to share my dry spot. He introduced himself as local Pastor Joe and he wanted to bless my bicycle and my trip. I thanked him profusely and he reached into his pocket, fans open his wallet and starts pulling out money. I assured him that in spite of the fact my bicycle now looks like a gypsy traveling wagon, I was financially solvent and I appreciated the offer and it had touched me deeply. He handed me his card and bid me to e-mail him with the news of my successful return home. Amazing folks in this town called Huntington...and there's more.
Walking past a 'Dart-the-Balloon' game on the Midway, a handsome young man called me over. Expecting his b.s. hustle, I was jaw-dropped when he told me, "Hang on a sec, lemme get you something." He handed me two icy cold bottles of water and just wanted me to know that 'carnies' often get a bad rap. He wanted me to know, "That it ain't all like that. There are some good people here." In fact he told me that whenever he sees a kid in a wheelchair go by, he calls the kid over and GIVES the kid a free prize off his table. Nice guy. More...I had a little more time to kill until I could leave for Brother Crispin's as he wasn't going to be home until late afternoon. Bike pushing around, visiting a really neat art studio in the old train depot, I ran across an older gentleman who took a great interest in my travelling rig. His name is Carlton Sprague, he is "eighty-something" and he still rides his one speed, balloon tire bike almost every day. We parted company and about fifteen minutes later our paths crossed again and he had a map of Huntington, that he figured I 'could use'. He showed me exactly how to get to Bob Crispin's place and then leaned into me and asked. "How are you set for money? I've got more then I can ever spend. Now how much...". I cut him short and assured him I was flush but was very much obliged for his offer. I shook his strong, thin hand and headed out of town to Bob's.
The five mile ride to Bob's was my first time heading east and it was grand and glorious not to have a headwind roaring in my ears and trying to push me backward. Arriving at the Crispin's beautiful farm, I was welcomed inside like a long, lost friend. Warm conversation and clean laundry. In a bicyclist's world, that is a fine way to spend a Saturday evening. Around 10:00pm, Brother Crispin and I adjourned to his back porch and we spoke of Masonry. I hung on every word that this 40 year Mason had to impart. He helped me to realize how truly special it was to be a Freemason. I really do have brothers EVERYWHERE ! There will never again be a time when I feel alone on the road. Thank you Brother Bob. Thank you Amity 483.
Turns out Bob's "Shed" was his hunting cabin just off his barn. Seriously Five-Star accomodations in the life of a bicycle tourist...alas no WiFi, hence the delay in this posting. To close tonight...(Forgive the syntax...), Huntington, Indiana good place...VERY good place. I will return. Peace
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Friday, June 20, 2008
June 20, Special Olympics Bike Ride
Friday, Huntington, IN. I have a confession. Last night I spent $145 including my Triple A and AARP discounts for a room at the Holiday Inn Express in New Haven. Those of you who know me will be aghast at how I spent such a princely sum due to my history of "thriftiness". Truth is it had a jacuzzi in the room and my back had been tightening up for the last two days. I spent an hour bubbling while enriching myself in Trey Parker's biting cartoon satire. And this morning I felt like a thousand million bucks. Rain that had been forecast for the morning had disappeared and I made the command decision to push one more day of wind and get to my westernmost waypoint, Huntington, Indiana. Why Huntington? Answer, Bucket List. Yes, on my list was some strangely driven desire to visit the Dan Quayle Vice-Presidential Museum located in Huntington, IN. I figured as long as my bike trip was taking me close, I would jump into Indiana and knock one of those things off my bucket list. More on the Museum later.
Rolled west toward Fort Wayne around 9:00am. Nasty gravel in the bike gutter and I flatted out for the first time. Took me my usual three minutes to break the bike down and get the tube changed and now I faced a pump decision. My old frame pump was dependable but took a lot of strokes to bring the tire up to 95 pounds. But I had packed a fancy new mini-pump that supposedly did twice the work in half the strokes. As I was about to administer the final blast of air, the new pump snapped the valve clean off the tube. I had to start all over with another tube. I opted for my old pump and cursed the new one. Rode through downtown Fort Wayne. Very pretty city. Wished I had had more time to linger, but I was working on my bucket list and the Museum would close at 4:00pm. Things that happen on the road are often inexplicable. Dig this. Riding just south of Fort Wayne, still peeved about my bike pump, there...laying in the road at the entrance to a fancy shopping center is a brand new bicycle pump. I am not making this up. It is hanging off my bags right now and I am looking at it. Gets better. I wear an old pair of prescription Ray-Ban Aviators. I train in them, ride in them and marathon in them. Over the years the sweat from my face has pitted the underside of the frames and when they bounce up and down for a long time as I ride, they give me raccoon marks under my eyes. It was really starting to annoy me today and I thought about the fact that I wasn't carrying any fine grit sandpaper on my bike which I could use to smooth the frames. Ten miles north of Huntington, the Road Find Gods answered again...I am not kidding...laying on the road...a full pack of GatorGrit Power Plus black zirconium fine sandpaper. Made in Fairborn, Ohio. Freaky, eh?
Gets even better. Arrive in Huntington to find they are in the midst of their 'Heritage Days' Festival, a street fair covering many blocks Downtown. Locate the Vice Presidential Museum and am greeted by the curator, Dan Johns who mentions he was in receipt of my e-mail and had been expecting me. It is Friday afternoon, we are the only ones in the Museum and I am granted a VIP tour. This Museum is about the Vice-Presidents, it just happens to be located in Dan Quayle's hometown. His collection includes an artifact from every American Vice-President. The collection itself is impressive, but Dan Johns' grasp of the history of the Vice-Presidency is awesome. We have had some very interesting men fill the number two position in our Country over the years. Granted the upstairs is mostly about our 44th Vice-President, but overall, I give the Vice Presidential Museum in Huntington two giant thumbs up.
Left the Museum around 4:00pm, and went across the street to a local bank to cash some Traveller's Checks as I had spent $46.00 on Quayle souveniers. How's this...American Express Traveller's Checks ARE NOT WELCOME. They wouldn't cash them. Too much chance of fraud. Even though I had proper I.D. and don't think that I appear overtly nefarious. And how fast am I going to flee the scene of the crime on my Pigbike? (At 10 miles an hour.) Demanded to see the manager, and after a call to American Express, they cashed a few checks. What a pile of horse poop. Why bother getting American Express Traveller's Checks if you can't cash them on the road? Isn't that the concept behind travelling checks? O.K., it worked out, but American Express has got some "splainin' to do," (Apologies to Ricky Ricardo), when I get home.
Bummed around the festival, looked at some amazing vintage cars, dunked a couple of dollies and as I was leaving met an artist lady who informed me that the local Masons were holding a fish fry on the other side of town. It was within easy bike pushing distance so I choogled on over. A gentleman with the square and compass on his breastpocket was walking out so I introduced myself, told my story, and presented him with a card and commemerative t-shirt. His name is Roger Dimond, and he is Past Master of Amity Lodge 483. We exchanged handshakes and he told me to wait right there. He returned moments later and introduced me to the Lodge's Worshipful Master, Jeff Baumgartner. Jeff escorted me into the fish fry, waved me past the pay-here table and got me set up with a delicious meal. And in recognition of my efforts, he next presented me with a check for Ohio' s Special Olympians that he asked I deliver in person on behalf of Amity 483. Amazing day. Amazing band of Brothers. They want me to join them on their float in tomorrow's parade. Think I'll do it? Stay tuned. Rest day tomorrow. Laundry and more adventure. Peace
Rolled west toward Fort Wayne around 9:00am. Nasty gravel in the bike gutter and I flatted out for the first time. Took me my usual three minutes to break the bike down and get the tube changed and now I faced a pump decision. My old frame pump was dependable but took a lot of strokes to bring the tire up to 95 pounds. But I had packed a fancy new mini-pump that supposedly did twice the work in half the strokes. As I was about to administer the final blast of air, the new pump snapped the valve clean off the tube. I had to start all over with another tube. I opted for my old pump and cursed the new one. Rode through downtown Fort Wayne. Very pretty city. Wished I had had more time to linger, but I was working on my bucket list and the Museum would close at 4:00pm. Things that happen on the road are often inexplicable. Dig this. Riding just south of Fort Wayne, still peeved about my bike pump, there...laying in the road at the entrance to a fancy shopping center is a brand new bicycle pump. I am not making this up. It is hanging off my bags right now and I am looking at it. Gets better. I wear an old pair of prescription Ray-Ban Aviators. I train in them, ride in them and marathon in them. Over the years the sweat from my face has pitted the underside of the frames and when they bounce up and down for a long time as I ride, they give me raccoon marks under my eyes. It was really starting to annoy me today and I thought about the fact that I wasn't carrying any fine grit sandpaper on my bike which I could use to smooth the frames. Ten miles north of Huntington, the Road Find Gods answered again...I am not kidding...laying on the road...a full pack of GatorGrit Power Plus black zirconium fine sandpaper. Made in Fairborn, Ohio. Freaky, eh?
Gets even better. Arrive in Huntington to find they are in the midst of their 'Heritage Days' Festival, a street fair covering many blocks Downtown. Locate the Vice Presidential Museum and am greeted by the curator, Dan Johns who mentions he was in receipt of my e-mail and had been expecting me. It is Friday afternoon, we are the only ones in the Museum and I am granted a VIP tour. This Museum is about the Vice-Presidents, it just happens to be located in Dan Quayle's hometown. His collection includes an artifact from every American Vice-President. The collection itself is impressive, but Dan Johns' grasp of the history of the Vice-Presidency is awesome. We have had some very interesting men fill the number two position in our Country over the years. Granted the upstairs is mostly about our 44th Vice-President, but overall, I give the Vice Presidential Museum in Huntington two giant thumbs up.
Left the Museum around 4:00pm, and went across the street to a local bank to cash some Traveller's Checks as I had spent $46.00 on Quayle souveniers. How's this...American Express Traveller's Checks ARE NOT WELCOME. They wouldn't cash them. Too much chance of fraud. Even though I had proper I.D. and don't think that I appear overtly nefarious. And how fast am I going to flee the scene of the crime on my Pigbike? (At 10 miles an hour.) Demanded to see the manager, and after a call to American Express, they cashed a few checks. What a pile of horse poop. Why bother getting American Express Traveller's Checks if you can't cash them on the road? Isn't that the concept behind travelling checks? O.K., it worked out, but American Express has got some "splainin' to do," (Apologies to Ricky Ricardo), when I get home.
Bummed around the festival, looked at some amazing vintage cars, dunked a couple of dollies and as I was leaving met an artist lady who informed me that the local Masons were holding a fish fry on the other side of town. It was within easy bike pushing distance so I choogled on over. A gentleman with the square and compass on his breastpocket was walking out so I introduced myself, told my story, and presented him with a card and commemerative t-shirt. His name is Roger Dimond, and he is Past Master of Amity Lodge 483. We exchanged handshakes and he told me to wait right there. He returned moments later and introduced me to the Lodge's Worshipful Master, Jeff Baumgartner. Jeff escorted me into the fish fry, waved me past the pay-here table and got me set up with a delicious meal. And in recognition of my efforts, he next presented me with a check for Ohio' s Special Olympians that he asked I deliver in person on behalf of Amity 483. Amazing day. Amazing band of Brothers. They want me to join them on their float in tomorrow's parade. Think I'll do it? Stay tuned. Rest day tomorrow. Laundry and more adventure. Peace
Thursday, June 19, 2008
June 19, Special Olympics Bike Ride
Thursday. New Haven, Indiana. Another day, another 56 miles with the wind on the nose. I am looking very forward to my upcoming rest day. Spent the majority of the day on Route 24 travelling between Napoleon and New Haven. If it is indeed true that all of America's needs move by truck, than I am convinced that all of America's needs moved along the 2-lane Route 24 today. Convoys of trucks, some up to 10 deep, came in waves from both directions. All day. And I had a most bicycle UNfriendly 2 foot berm. Please allow this visual. Eastbound and westbound semi rigs simultaneously passing your fully loaded touring bicycle as you balance precipitiously near the edge of the road. Imagine that you could take your left hand off the handlebar and easily touch a truck passing you at 60 miles per hour. Now imagine doing that for 5 hours and 53 minutes. So, you think you had a bad day? Oh, and just for fun try this...looking up and seeing an oncoming semi swerve out to pass another and now TWO big rigs are barreling toward you less then a quarter mile ahead. Time to put the bike as deep into the ditch as possible. People always ask me if I am scared out there. Not so much scared as cautiously scared. All I can do is be cautious. Today I was scared. I guess somehow that is a good thing. It keeps you from getting complacent. Too much complacency in our world. Brothers, ask yourselves what you can do to help.
OK, apologies for the soapboxing. Last night as I was loading the digital pics into the computer, somehow I managed to lose that precious photo of the Special Olympian, Ben Snyder from Grand Rapids. Hoping for the best, I took the camera to a Walgreen's in Defiance and Brendt the camera guy, pulled up the missing picture and printed me two 5 by 7's. That picture is a poster waiting to happen. Spoke with the girl at the Speedway in Defiance as she was changing the gas prices on the street sign. I asked her how people reacted as she raised the prices. She said that she felt like she needed a bulletproof vest. Gas in Defiance is $4.09/gal. It feels very much like the Country is in a foul mood. What is up America? If you want change, make change. Just do something. Oops, more soapboxing...mea culpa again. Tonight to close, I will introduce you to another of the 'Road Gods'. The 'Road Find God' places many treasures along the ride. It is almost like a video game that you get to live. See a prize, and gobble it up. Today may have been a lousy day for riding, but for Road Find it was spectacular. Wrenches, a socket, 32 cents, a cool marble, a 'Caution Student Driver' magnetic sign, a Titlest, and a Wal-Mart Associate badge and lanyard. The name on the tag was Steve. My Dad used to call me Steve. I guess Dad was letting me know that he was watching over my ride. Pops really never liked my bike trips. He would sit out in his lawnchair for the whole day when he knew I was coming home. Best handshakes ever. O.K., now I'm waxing melancholy. Blog focus, blog focus...Sorry gang, I am pretty beat down tired. Improvement tomorrow. You have my money-back guarantee. Peace.
OK, apologies for the soapboxing. Last night as I was loading the digital pics into the computer, somehow I managed to lose that precious photo of the Special Olympian, Ben Snyder from Grand Rapids. Hoping for the best, I took the camera to a Walgreen's in Defiance and Brendt the camera guy, pulled up the missing picture and printed me two 5 by 7's. That picture is a poster waiting to happen. Spoke with the girl at the Speedway in Defiance as she was changing the gas prices on the street sign. I asked her how people reacted as she raised the prices. She said that she felt like she needed a bulletproof vest. Gas in Defiance is $4.09/gal. It feels very much like the Country is in a foul mood. What is up America? If you want change, make change. Just do something. Oops, more soapboxing...mea culpa again. Tonight to close, I will introduce you to another of the 'Road Gods'. The 'Road Find God' places many treasures along the ride. It is almost like a video game that you get to live. See a prize, and gobble it up. Today may have been a lousy day for riding, but for Road Find it was spectacular. Wrenches, a socket, 32 cents, a cool marble, a 'Caution Student Driver' magnetic sign, a Titlest, and a Wal-Mart Associate badge and lanyard. The name on the tag was Steve. My Dad used to call me Steve. I guess Dad was letting me know that he was watching over my ride. Pops really never liked my bike trips. He would sit out in his lawnchair for the whole day when he knew I was coming home. Best handshakes ever. O.K., now I'm waxing melancholy. Blog focus, blog focus...Sorry gang, I am pretty beat down tired. Improvement tomorrow. You have my money-back guarantee. Peace.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
June 18/Special Olympics Bike Ride
Wednesday. Napoleon, Ohio. I wanted to get on the road early today as the winds are lighter in the morning and were expected to ramp up to a steady 15-25 knots as the sun got higher. Touring Cyclists are notoriously superstitious. Certain things we carry are only on the ride because we believe they are lucky. For example, I am carrying a road-found pair of 3-D glasses. I somehow KNOW they are filled with good fortune and must be on the ride. Out on the road luck is a friend. Other friends exist on the ride of a bicycle tourist. In my world, I refer to them as the 'Road Gods'. There are quite a few of them. One of them is the 'Road Sign God'. I'm not talking about regular road signs we ignore every day, I'm referring to signs he/she chooses to show you. An example. This morning I shovelled down a Denny's Grand Slam and as I walked out to my bike, a new red pick-up was parked very near. The hand lettering on the door said, "Bob's Masonry". Hmmm...masonry? A sign? So it was going to be a day filled with cool Mason stuff. I pedalled off at 7:00am in search of the Masonic adventures. Lots of other cool things happened today, but allow me to begin with the Mason stories. Riding along the Maumee River, (into the freaking wind), I came to the town of Tontoganty. Something told me I was near something special, so I snapped a picture of the town's sign. Rolling out of town, I glance over at a railroad crossing sign and notice a small brown sign, on the ground half covered by weeds. And the sign says, "Ohio Historical Masonic Site, 1 1/4 mile" with an arrow pointing north. Well, I'm heading west, but I understand the zen of the, 'Road Sign God', so off route I go to the site. Very cool to stand at the site of the first Masonic Lodge founded in Wood County, 1831. (Nice photos which I may not be able to post until I get home and get some computer guidance. Sorry folks. I'll keep trying. ) Couldn't tarry too long at the site as the mosquitos were swarming. Pulling into the town of Grand Rapids, I knew I was in for fun adventures since I had begun my journey from the Village of Grand River four days and 200 miles ago. Grand Rapids/Grand River? Oh it gets better. It is said that timing is everything, and how could it be that I am pushing my bicycle along Main Street and as I pass a pizza shop, a woman is asking her little brother if he is going to Columbus? I glance over and see the young boy is special. I stop, and just ask the young man, "Are you going to the Special Olympics in Columbus?" Beaming, he replies, "Yes, I am." I tell him that I have something for him and reach into my panniers and produce a Special Olympic t-shirt. I introduce myself as the Bicycling Ambassador for the Special Olympics. His sister introduces me to Ben Snyder. He works at the pizza store and he's going to participate in volleyball and baseball. His sister snaps a picture and smiling broadly Ben states, "If you are going to be in Columbus, you can be my room-mate and I can wear my shirt." Happiest kid you'd ever meet. Yes my friends, they ARE special. Support these kids. Consider coming down to Columbus for the games, June 27-29.
What next in enchanted town of Grand Rapids? Try this. Pushing my bike further down the main drag, two older gentlemen take note of my loaded machine and we begin to chat. Turns out I was in the company of a 55 year Mason, W.L. Hampton. W.L. asked me to spread the word to my fellow Masons that an editorial in Monday's N.Y. Times should be read by all and discussed at the next meeting. Sounds important, let's heed the advice of a 55 year man. Still more...located the Grand Rapids Lodge and left a card and t-shirt. O.K., for those of you keeping score, that's four Mason things out on the road today. Very cool. Visit Grand Rapids. And ask me about the Red Hat Ladies from Grand Rapids sometime.
Lots more to write when I can use words to help illustrate my road photos, but I will close today with a couple interesting tidbits. I spent 25 miles on Route 6 travelling west from Fremont and found that the road had recently been designated a "Wide Load Detour." Semis hauling double wide trailers caused me to go 'bushwhacking' on five occasions. Always, better safe than dead.
The Wind Gods frowned in my direction again today. How so did I offend them? I was reaching dead tired with miles to go when I stopped for a rest on a cement guard rail under a railroad underpass when a State Trooper went by. He obviously saw me as two minutes later, he had turned around and pulled up to check on me. The trooper in car #1918 wanted to know if I needed help. Great gesture and good work by a person who holds one of the toughest jobs imaginable. God bless the troopers. God bless the professional truck drivers who respect my efforts and give me fair clearance. And God Bless the artist who painted the 30 foot high Campbell Soup Can just outside Napoleon. I have the pics...really. Indiana tomorrow. Peace.
What next in enchanted town of Grand Rapids? Try this. Pushing my bike further down the main drag, two older gentlemen take note of my loaded machine and we begin to chat. Turns out I was in the company of a 55 year Mason, W.L. Hampton. W.L. asked me to spread the word to my fellow Masons that an editorial in Monday's N.Y. Times should be read by all and discussed at the next meeting. Sounds important, let's heed the advice of a 55 year man. Still more...located the Grand Rapids Lodge and left a card and t-shirt. O.K., for those of you keeping score, that's four Mason things out on the road today. Very cool. Visit Grand Rapids. And ask me about the Red Hat Ladies from Grand Rapids sometime.
Lots more to write when I can use words to help illustrate my road photos, but I will close today with a couple interesting tidbits. I spent 25 miles on Route 6 travelling west from Fremont and found that the road had recently been designated a "Wide Load Detour." Semis hauling double wide trailers caused me to go 'bushwhacking' on five occasions. Always, better safe than dead.
The Wind Gods frowned in my direction again today. How so did I offend them? I was reaching dead tired with miles to go when I stopped for a rest on a cement guard rail under a railroad underpass when a State Trooper went by. He obviously saw me as two minutes later, he had turned around and pulled up to check on me. The trooper in car #1918 wanted to know if I needed help. Great gesture and good work by a person who holds one of the toughest jobs imaginable. God bless the troopers. God bless the professional truck drivers who respect my efforts and give me fair clearance. And God Bless the artist who painted the 30 foot high Campbell Soup Can just outside Napoleon. I have the pics...really. Indiana tomorrow. Peace.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
June 17/Special Olympic Bike Ride
Tuesday, 17 June. An infinitely advanced wordsmith once coined the phrase, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times." Today's 58 mile ride from Oberlin to Fremont embodied the wordsmith's idea. Please allow me to adroitly describe today's 'worst of times.' Wind. Headwinds blowing on the nose at a steady 15-20 knots, gusting with malice at times to 35. I spent the majority of my time in the saddle managing gears to match the wind. Headwinds are the penultimate bane of the long distance tourist. A reasonable man would prefer a day's ride in the hills and heat. A touring bike is the aerodynamic equivalent of the windward side of a barn. Not so great in the aerodynamic's arena. Pushing a touring bike into the wind is akin to spending the day trying to push a cement block up an uneven brick wall...for 6 or 7 hours. It makes for a
long, tough trudge. Ah, but do not the worst of times often yield to the best of times?
Today they did, in spades. I'll give you the "Cliff Note's" version of today's good times, and conclude with one of those amazing moments that can only happen on a bicycle tour. My fraternity brother Ralph made an ad hoc decision to ride out a little with me this morning. I got to go bicycle riding with one of my brothers who I had known for 35 years, but had never ridden with. Today as we parted company after 10 miles and exchanged a fumbled fraternity handshake in our bike gloves, I felt something powerful and wonderful. I have always admired Ralph, and today Ralph respected me and my efforts on behalf of the Special Olympic kids. That meant a great deal. Less than 10 minutes after Ralph went east and I went west, I was 'grannying' my fat bike up a short, steep incline when I saw a cyclist in my mirror. Dave caught me at the hill's crest and we rode and chatted. Small world? He knows and rides with Ralph. He also gave me excellent directions for a modified route and then told me that if I went to Fremont, his former bike mechanic worked in town and I should meet him. The route suggested was kharmically fated. Cross the turnpike, bear left on Joppa Rd. and then left on...you are not going to believe this...MASON ROAD. I spent the majority of my day on Mason Rd. Almost stopped for lunch at the 'Mason Jar Tavern'. (I have the photos and we are working on gettin them up.) Please be advised that I suffer slightly from technophobia. I still play 8-tracks. But I'm learning. And isn't that one of the life's great lessons? Keep learning. And our Masonic brotherhood has so much to share and teach.
Quick hits. Other cool moments...a guy saw me coming and idled his zero-turn lawnmower until I passed and we shared a thank-filled wave...young guy in a pick-up pulls up to a stop sign and could have rudely pulled out in front of me as I pushed wind toward his intersection, but instead he smiled and waved me through. Another nice hand-signaled exchange. And then I pulled into Fremont...
It was easy to find the bike shop after a construction worker on a closed bridge provided me with exact directions. I met Phil, the former Oberlin bicycle mechanic who now plied his magic in Fremont. He knew both Ralph and Dave from his days spent spinning wrenches in Oberlin. It was like meeting a friend of a friend. As I was telling my story of riding for the Special Olympics, a slightly built middle aged black gentleman who had come to the counter looked at me and said,
"My name is George, and I was a Special Olympian. I ran 30 years ago and I met the Kennedy's when they came to event." George had a work badge hanging from his blue denim work shirt's pocket. It said he was a custodian. And he was the happiest, most joy-filled person you could ever stand next to. He gave me the distinct impression that his experience as a Special Olympian taught him that he could succeed given the cards he was dealt. And he did succeed. He had a job he was good at and he loved his bicycle and the freedom it provided. Self-actualization? May we all be so lucky. God bless George. My dedication to doing my part to rasie awareness and build publicity for the Special Olympians has never been higher. It actually makes me feel young again. Napoleon, Ohio tomorrow. Please turn off the west wind. Peace.
long, tough trudge. Ah, but do not the worst of times often yield to the best of times?
Today they did, in spades. I'll give you the "Cliff Note's" version of today's good times, and conclude with one of those amazing moments that can only happen on a bicycle tour. My fraternity brother Ralph made an ad hoc decision to ride out a little with me this morning. I got to go bicycle riding with one of my brothers who I had known for 35 years, but had never ridden with. Today as we parted company after 10 miles and exchanged a fumbled fraternity handshake in our bike gloves, I felt something powerful and wonderful. I have always admired Ralph, and today Ralph respected me and my efforts on behalf of the Special Olympic kids. That meant a great deal. Less than 10 minutes after Ralph went east and I went west, I was 'grannying' my fat bike up a short, steep incline when I saw a cyclist in my mirror. Dave caught me at the hill's crest and we rode and chatted. Small world? He knows and rides with Ralph. He also gave me excellent directions for a modified route and then told me that if I went to Fremont, his former bike mechanic worked in town and I should meet him. The route suggested was kharmically fated. Cross the turnpike, bear left on Joppa Rd. and then left on...you are not going to believe this...MASON ROAD. I spent the majority of my day on Mason Rd. Almost stopped for lunch at the 'Mason Jar Tavern'. (I have the photos and we are working on gettin them up.) Please be advised that I suffer slightly from technophobia. I still play 8-tracks. But I'm learning. And isn't that one of the life's great lessons? Keep learning. And our Masonic brotherhood has so much to share and teach.
Quick hits. Other cool moments...a guy saw me coming and idled his zero-turn lawnmower until I passed and we shared a thank-filled wave...young guy in a pick-up pulls up to a stop sign and could have rudely pulled out in front of me as I pushed wind toward his intersection, but instead he smiled and waved me through. Another nice hand-signaled exchange. And then I pulled into Fremont...
It was easy to find the bike shop after a construction worker on a closed bridge provided me with exact directions. I met Phil, the former Oberlin bicycle mechanic who now plied his magic in Fremont. He knew both Ralph and Dave from his days spent spinning wrenches in Oberlin. It was like meeting a friend of a friend. As I was telling my story of riding for the Special Olympics, a slightly built middle aged black gentleman who had come to the counter looked at me and said,
"My name is George, and I was a Special Olympian. I ran 30 years ago and I met the Kennedy's when they came to event." George had a work badge hanging from his blue denim work shirt's pocket. It said he was a custodian. And he was the happiest, most joy-filled person you could ever stand next to. He gave me the distinct impression that his experience as a Special Olympian taught him that he could succeed given the cards he was dealt. And he did succeed. He had a job he was good at and he loved his bicycle and the freedom it provided. Self-actualization? May we all be so lucky. God bless George. My dedication to doing my part to rasie awareness and build publicity for the Special Olympians has never been higher. It actually makes me feel young again. Napoleon, Ohio tomorrow. Please turn off the west wind. Peace.
Monday, June 16, 2008
June 16/Special Olympic Bike Ride
Monday, June 16th. The 30 mile section of this ride took me from one Cleveland State Fraternity Brother's home in Avon to another in Oberlin. Spent a lovely day with my friends Ralph and Melissa. If you have never visited Oberlin, please put it on your 'Bucket List'. It is a really neat place. I will definitely be making a return visit to check out the Allen Museum, FAVA and Finney Chapel. Had time to bum around with my pals, get a haircut, visit a bakery, have two fine meals and fix the bike. Oh, did I forget to mention that touring bikes break on a regular basis?
The grinding noise began about 5 miles into today's ride. Sounded like it was coming from either the crank or one of the pedals. In my experience, whenever a potential problem arises it is always the most expensive problem that requires the fix. I was certain that the bottom bracket bearings had fried and if I could find a bike shop it was going to be at least eighty bucks. My CSU fraternity brother Ralph who is an avid bicycle rider suggested we take a look at the pedal bearings. As usual, if I'd learned anything since meeting Ralph in 1973, it is that Ralph is usually right. We took the pedal bearings to the Oberlin College Bike Co-op and for the princely sum of $1.50, had the repair accomplished.
Other cool things that happened today. Delivered my first 'Bicycling Ambassador' card and safety green T-shirt to the Oberlin Masonic Lodge. I have photos to prove it, I just haven't figured out how to load them to this blog. Will be heading off toward Sandusky tomorrow. Wish me fair winds and good luck. And a little bit of love for my left knee. Much obliged.
Fraternally,
Brother Spudd
The grinding noise began about 5 miles into today's ride. Sounded like it was coming from either the crank or one of the pedals. In my experience, whenever a potential problem arises it is always the most expensive problem that requires the fix. I was certain that the bottom bracket bearings had fried and if I could find a bike shop it was going to be at least eighty bucks. My CSU fraternity brother Ralph who is an avid bicycle rider suggested we take a look at the pedal bearings. As usual, if I'd learned anything since meeting Ralph in 1973, it is that Ralph is usually right. We took the pedal bearings to the Oberlin College Bike Co-op and for the princely sum of $1.50, had the repair accomplished.
Other cool things that happened today. Delivered my first 'Bicycling Ambassador' card and safety green T-shirt to the Oberlin Masonic Lodge. I have photos to prove it, I just haven't figured out how to load them to this blog. Will be heading off toward Sandusky tomorrow. Wish me fair winds and good luck. And a little bit of love for my left knee. Much obliged.
Fraternally,
Brother Spudd
Sunday, June 15, 2008
June 15/Special Olympics Bike Ride, (SOBR)
Please allow me a quick introduction. My name is James "Spudd" Sasak, I'm 52 and I belong to Lakeshore Lodge 307 in Madison, Ohio. I have taken a dedication to the principles of Moderate Fitness Recovery and created an endurance athlete. Thirty seven marathon finishes and well over 25,000 miles of self-contained bicycle touring allow me the privilege to count myself among the athletically gifted. I wish to share my gift with some special friends. I am going on a 6 or 7 hundred mile bicycle trip to raise awareness for our state's special athletes. I will be pedalling around Ohio for the next couple weeks in my "safety green" Ohio Special Olympics t-shirt drumming up as much interest for these amazing athletes as I can. And visiting as many Masonic Lodges as possible. If you're not home I'll leave my card and one of my "safety green" t-shirts. I hope to meet all of you out on the road.
June 15/Special Olympics Bike Ride, (SOBR)
Prepping for a bicycle tour is a lot like training for a marathon. Millions of details and knowing you are going to somehow forget something. I must admit to forgetting nothing except that my left knee had been a problem since the Rite-Aid Cleveland Marathon on May 18th. I rested it for the last four weeks. I received amazing treatments and massage from incredible specialists. And still the knee is banging. Not as badly, but it is going to be touch and go. Lots of aspirin and water. I'll stay in lower gears to save the knees, travel more slowly, and hopefully be able to keep my assignation with my Brothers and ALL of Ohio's Special Olympians on Friday evening,
for the opening ceremonies on June 27 in Columbus. Let me leave this introduction with one of the incredible lessons we can learn from our Special Olympians. A popular corpoarte slogan tells us to, "Just Do It." Our Special Olympians teach us to, "Just Try It." Fearless of failure they are teaching us to "try" a little bit of physical activity. Even though we may not all be natural or gifted athletes, we can at least try to get ourselves into a little better shape.
Here's the skinny; I have promised my Lodge brothers at 307 that I would learn how to blog and send my bicycling adventure stories daily. Deeds not words. Today I pedalled from Grand River to Avon Lake. Nice weather, tough winds, help from good friends. I covered 50 miles along Lake Erie in about 6 hours. Laying over at my Cleveland State Fraternity Pledge Brother, Willie Keis, we speak of fraternity days. I have missed the connections with my college chums and welcomed my new brothers as I became a Mason. There are a great number of similarities between my college fraternity and my Masonic fraternity. I will try to tie them together during the course of my travels. But one thing is certain. One of the major smilarities is that both of my fraternities highly value service to the Community. This bike ride is my chance at this point in my life to do something good for some great kids. Many layers my friends. Stay tuned. I will tell you a good story.
Pictures are worth words times a thousand. Will try to get photos up asap.
Staying tuned,
Brother Spudd
June 15/Special Olympics Bike Ride, (SOBR)
Prepping for a bicycle tour is a lot like training for a marathon. Millions of details and knowing you are going to somehow forget something. I must admit to forgetting nothing except that my left knee had been a problem since the Rite-Aid Cleveland Marathon on May 18th. I rested it for the last four weeks. I received amazing treatments and massage from incredible specialists. And still the knee is banging. Not as badly, but it is going to be touch and go. Lots of aspirin and water. I'll stay in lower gears to save the knees, travel more slowly, and hopefully be able to keep my assignation with my Brothers and ALL of Ohio's Special Olympians on Friday evening,
for the opening ceremonies on June 27 in Columbus. Let me leave this introduction with one of the incredible lessons we can learn from our Special Olympians. A popular corpoarte slogan tells us to, "Just Do It." Our Special Olympians teach us to, "Just Try It." Fearless of failure they are teaching us to "try" a little bit of physical activity. Even though we may not all be natural or gifted athletes, we can at least try to get ourselves into a little better shape.
Here's the skinny; I have promised my Lodge brothers at 307 that I would learn how to blog and send my bicycling adventure stories daily. Deeds not words. Today I pedalled from Grand River to Avon Lake. Nice weather, tough winds, help from good friends. I covered 50 miles along Lake Erie in about 6 hours. Laying over at my Cleveland State Fraternity Pledge Brother, Willie Keis, we speak of fraternity days. I have missed the connections with my college chums and welcomed my new brothers as I became a Mason. There are a great number of similarities between my college fraternity and my Masonic fraternity. I will try to tie them together during the course of my travels. But one thing is certain. One of the major smilarities is that both of my fraternities highly value service to the Community. This bike ride is my chance at this point in my life to do something good for some great kids. Many layers my friends. Stay tuned. I will tell you a good story.
Pictures are worth words times a thousand. Will try to get photos up asap.
Staying tuned,
Brother Spudd
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